But somewhere in the five years he has been at the helm he came to the realization that the JCMC would never realize its full potential without some help.

So to that end, Scott and Barnabas Health CEO Barry Ostrowsky signed a "definitive agreement" this morning that would make the JCMC part of the Barnabas system, which includes Clara Maass Medical Center in Belleville, St. Barnabas Medical Center in Livingston and Newark Beth Israel Medical Center.

"Becoming part of Barnabas Health will give our hospital an opportunity
to continue to grow our services and better serve the healthcare needs
of this quickly growing community," Scott said this morning at a news conference at the JCMC.

The transaction signed this morning by Scott and Ostrowsky needs state approvals and should be completed by the fall, officials said. In the meantime, the hospitals will explore ways to share services and programs. One of the services Scott mentioned the hospital would like to expand is the oncology department.

Scott said during the search to find a suitable partner, certain criteria had to be met and Barnabas Health was a perfect fit.

Two board members from JCMC will join the Barnabas Health board and two members of the Barnabas board will join the JCMC team in order to ensure control of the hospitals remains steady.

"This alignment couldn't be better," Ostrowsky said.

JCMC has "distinguished itself" in the community for its level of care and "it is that motivation that attracted Barnabas to combine," Ostrowsky added.

Scott and Ostrowsky said no layoffs are planned and patients can expect the same quality of care during the transition period and beyond.

Jersey City Medical Center is one of six hospitals in Hudson County -- Bayonne Medical Center, Hoboken University Medical Center, Christ Hospital, Meadowlands Hospital Medical Center and Palisades Medical Center are the other five -- but one of just two nonprofit facilities. PMC is the other.